The dangers of modern economy
Soon there will be more cellphones than
humans.
The speed on which we are able to reach people across the planet is
unbelievable and we have arrived to a point where never before so few
people impact so many.
Just think about it. It took 75 years for the telephone to reach 50M
users, 38 years for radio to reach 50 million users, 14 years for TV to
reach 50 million users and 4 years for the Internet to reach 50 million
users.
If we look now for recent history, it took 3,5 years for Facebook to
reach 50M users, and Angry Birds did it in merely 35 days.
The shift on how platforms and games are reaching people highly
affects our economy and lifestyle. Nowadays we can definitely say
attention is the basic currency of our modern economy. The
platforms that grab our attention the most and influence our lifestyle are
the ones growing the most.
This brings a new danger to people that most are unaware of. Couple
of the realities that have emerged are the culture of user experience
and the knowing everything about everyone. We have moved our
lifestyle online and there our behavior is being tracked all the time.
Either we want it or not.
Why are we being tracked?
Because behavior change is the next blockbuster drug. Companies
know it and they are learning from your online behavior (everything from
what you want to read, hear and purchase so that they can give it you
on a silver platter.)
technology
This approach seems reasonable for many.
So why is it dangerous?
Well, modern companies are harming users by not thinking on their
business model and only giving users what makes them happy to
optimize conversion.
If you are in the USA and search for George W. Bush in liberal states,
most probably the first search results you will see are about the war in
Afghanistan and the mismanagement of his presidency.
But, if you are in a republican state, such as Texas, the first search
results will be about the economy and how Bush revitalize Texas and
helped creating new jobs and support local companies. So, people get
what they want to read, but not what they need to know.
Ok, so we just need to be aware of the
dangers of companies’ malpractices and
educate ourselves right?
Well, not so fast. There’s also an increasing danger in user-to-user
relationship due to the lifestyle showcase in social network.
Fast example, I am a shy person when it comes to parties. I like to talk
to few people, stay in a corner and probably not stay until early
morning partying; I used to do that and then go home, and I used to be
perceived as that type of person as well...
26 | Dey Dos Magazine
Hugo Pereira is a humanist technologist,
meaning he is passionate about technology
centered around the interests, needs and
well-being of humanity.
He is currently embracing on a journey
with Alpsquare, a digital HR agency, and
as part of his work he is developing a one
stop shop talent management platform,
Talentsquare, which gives talents a tool
to manage their career progression and
employers to source, funnel and manage
applicants through a state of the art
recruitment software.
Prior to entering in the entrepreneurial
world, Hugo was actively engaged with
AIESEC, the largest youth-led organization
in the world, having been President at a
global level. Hugo discovered the incredible
power of cultures, and the impact
passionate young people can have when
they believe in a common purpose.
These experiences led him to be named the
world’s most globally connected individual
by Western Union and today he aspires to
become a thought leader in the field of
entrepreneurship, product & digital
strategy and personal development.
CONNECT WITH HUGO
@hugosbpereira
www.linkedin.com/in/hugosbpereira
www.hugopereira.me